When my oldest daughter Elizabeth was approaching kindergarten my mom teased me saying that I was treating the hunt for a primary school the way most people search for the right college. What I had to keep reminding her was that I did not have the luxury of sending Elizaeth to my parish school as at the time St. Patrick did not have a primary school. Full disclosure, I had not sent Elizabeth to the preschool because at the time they only had morning classes and we were not on an early morning schedule so I opted for a school with a later start time. In fact, start time also ended up being a factor in the decision for where Elizabeth went to kindergarten as I chose a school further from home but with a later start time. Sadly for us, that start time got moved up a half hour earlier the following year as a result of bus shortages. While the school had been the same school I attended for grade school, the whole time Elizabeth was there I felt like we were running the wrong race. Not only was the ridiculously early start time and the commute taking its toll, but not living in the vicinity of the parish meant that friendships were harder to foster and maintain. Add to all of that Elizabeth’s frequent absences as a result of her having cystic fibrosis and the stress of school was reaching new heights less than a month into her 4th grade year. That same year, my son Luke was starting preschool. Again, we did not pursue St. Patrick as an option because of timing. I opted instead to send Luke to a preschool closer to where Elizabeth was in school which had the same end time so that my trips back and forth were minimized, but unfortunately, the level of stress was not minimized. In fact, Luke was miserable transitioning into preschool. Heartbroken and feeling like each school day was a Sysiphian task I finally turned to God and asked him what we should do. And He answered. We pulled Elizabeth out of school and began homeschooling. With that decision also came the decision to pull Luke out of his preschool and I finally reached out to St. Patrick and (thank the good Lord) was able to enroll him into their preschool program. The decision to enroll Luke in preschool at St. Patrick changed the directory of our lives. Even now, I find myself near tears thinking how amazing God’s providence is as I fully believe all of the struggles with school in the past led us to St. Patrick school. 

The saying don’t judge a book by its cover is very applicable to St. Patrick, and I was guilty of doing just this. In the third Indiana Jones installment there is a point where the characters have to choose the chalice from the Last Supper. Unfortunately for me, I started our education journey like the bad guy. I was looking for glitz and glamor in a school, things like sports programs, extracurricular activities and Blue Ribbon status, versus humble but strong moral guidance. The physical space at St. Patrick, both in the preschool and in the primary school, is perhaps not as nice as some of the schools that have been around longer and have a greater financial backing but the spiritual formation, the teachers’ love and genuine interest in the students and the overall culture can’t be matched. Luke’s first week at St. Patrick went so much smoother than his first week at his previous preschool. I have never met any other teacher or principal like Mrs. Nunnelley. She has the energy of a 20 year old, the sweetness of the most beloved grandmother, the drive of a top CEO and the faith of a saint. Luke absolutely loved her and his other teachers. Mrs. Nunnelley not only welcomed Luke into the school community but also Elizabeth. Elizabeth was able to join Luke for school parties and field trips and this year she was welcomed into 5th grade. Mrs. Nunnelley knew our situation with Elizabeth being homeschooled and this year the timing worked out for them to add another teacher for 4th and 5th grade and so Elizabeth was able to enroll as a 5th grader. For the first time since Elizabeth started school I finally feel like we are running the right race. 

Both Elizabeth and Luke are extremely happy at St. Patrick. The later start time vs most parochial schools’ start time is a huge benefit. There is mounds of research showing that later start times improve mood, behavior, attendance and grades and this has definitely been the case for Elizabeth. The smaller class sizes ensure more one on one attention from teachers and more can be accomplished in one day because there are less distractions. More getting accomplished during the school day also means less homework coming home. Another benefit of St. Patrick is that the students get to interact with multiple class levels. These friendships across the grades have really added to our family’s overall parish experience. We have become friends with several families all of whom send their children to St. Patrick. Even though Elizabeth and Luke are not in the same grades as the other kids they look forward to going to mass to see their friends. These friendships have also opened the door for more volunteer and social opportunities, like the fish fry and bible school. Being a part of the school has made being a part of the parish such a deeper and more meaningful experience. 
No school is perfect. And St. Patrick being at the beginning of its journey may be missing a few things that one would expect to have in a school. But I would encourage parents not to let these things stop them from choosing St. Patrick for their children. Rather, like Indiana Jones, choose wisely. Choose a school with a humble beginning but one that will prepare your student to live a virtuous life. Choose a school that allows kids to be kids, to run, play and learn in a safe, friendly environment rather than be overwhelmed by the political and social pressures of most modern day schools. Choose St. Patrick because the most important thing you can do for your children is to help them discover God’s will for them in their lives and there is no better place to help you with this endeavor than a school with Christ at the center of its mission, St. Patrick.

Catherine Rider
 

To say sending our daughter to St. Patrick’s school has been a blessing is very true, but for our family it was more than that, it was life changing. 

When weighing the options of where to send our first child to school, we knew we wanted a place with certain characteristics including Christian values, small class sizes that would allow her to be challenged academically, and experienced teachers we could trust as we sent her away for her first, hopefully positive, formative years of school.

Last spring we were looking for a school with these characteristics and researching options for partial day preschool and kindergarten.  During that time our daughter began exhibiting some anxiety which we were told was common in many kids during covid quarantine, lack of social interaction, and other health precautions.  Once that anxiety started affecting her daily life and ability to function, we realized we had to find ways to help her. One of those included sending her to a school that could provide her with socialization, structure, and consistency that centered around a loving God.   That school was St. Patrick’s. 

Over the last 2 years we’ve seen our daughter grow in many ways.  She loves her teachers, has made many friends, and has excelled academically.  More importantly to us, she has become kinder, more patient, and practiced problem-solving skills that are so important every day.  She is excited to tell us about what she is learning and sing songs from class.  She also shared with us how she enjoys talking to God and during lent this year, she decided on her own to pray the rosary every Sunday when we got home from mass. 

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin.  Many people are hesitant to send their child to a private school due to cost which is understandable.  Currently legislatures are reviewing new routes to aid in the cost of private tuition including expanding the Education Opportunity Account Act which would allow more families to be eligible to apply.  Additionally, as a pleasant surprise to us in retrospect, we learned that preschool and kindergarten tuition is tax deductible as childcare for children that age.

“And God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

I hope you too can prayerfully consider sending your child to this amazing God filled school.  Additionally, if you don’t have school aged children, please consider supporting this full education by donating to the school.  Your support can make a positive difference in the lives of so many.

God is good,

Andrea

“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6